Pneumatic tire.



L. J. WESTNESS.

PNEUMATIC TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2.190s.

Patented Dec. 1, 190a;

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

L. J. WESTNESS.

PNEUMATIC TIRE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY2,'1908.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. J. WESTNESS.

PNEUMATIO TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1906.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES LOIIS J. WESTNESS, OF MlLWAUREliI, WISUONSIN.

PNEUMATIC TIRE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed July 2, 1986. Serial No. 324,294.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Loris J. "ns'rnnss, residing in ltlilwaukee, in the count I of Milwaukee and State of \Yisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneunmtic l.i1'es, of which the following is a description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in pneumatic tires.

The primary object. of the invention is to provide an improved form of pneumatic tire.

especially intended for use in connection with automobiles, and other heavy vehicles, and also well adapted for use. in connection with the wheels of motor cycles, bicycles, and in fact in connection with vehicles of any description where pneumatic tires are do sirable, the said improved form of tire hav ing the particula advantages and functions as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a fragment of a wheel, parts broken away to show interior construction; Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. l, withthe outer tread covering broken away;

Fig. 3 is a plan view at two of the metal guards detached from each other, one of SJltl guards being partly in section; Fig. is a cross section of the complete tire; Fig. 5 is a view of the. tire, the canvas 23 in section, and all parts connected to said canvas removed; Fi (3 is a view of a fragment of the outer canvas 23, showing the cvclet, therein; Fig. T is a side view of one ot the metal shields, part in section; cross section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a view of a fragment of the inner metal clamping band; Fig. 10 isan edge view of Fig. .7, part in talsection through the means or mechanism for securing the tire to the rim, and looking upwardly; Fig. 12 is a section throu h a portion of the tire, showing a modified orm of the means for clamping the tire to the rim; and Fig. 13 is a view of a modified term of the means for connecting one metal shield section to the other.

in the accompanying drawings, the nu-- meral H indicates the rim of the wheel, around which is arranged the pneumatic tire. Referring to the tire, the numeral 151 indicates the inner rubber tube thereof. This tube is surrounded by a double thick- .Fig. 8 is a section; Fig. 1] is a horizonness of canvas, the inner thickness of said canvas being indicated by the numeral 16, and the outer tlnckness thcreot. by the numeral 17. At the inner po1tion of the tire the two thicknesses of this canvas are spaced apart, and in this space is fitted a metal band, forming part of the mechanism for clamping the tire to the wheel rim. This band is composed of a series of overlapping segments 18. The ovcrladping portions of the segments are provided with registering elongated square openings 19 (sec particularly Fig. 9). Screws 20 pass through these square openings, and said screws at diametrically opposite points are without threads and squared in order to fit the squared o enings and thereby prevent the turning oi the screws in the openings. These. openings 1.) are elongated for the purpose of permitting the lengthening of the band, which is necessat) in order to compensate for the dittcrent pressures to which 1. 1e tire is subjected, and to also facilitate the dismantling of the tire, or gaining access to the interior thereof. The upper ends of the screws above the overlapping portions of the band segments are provided with enlargements or heads 21, and turning on the screws below the overlapping portions of the band se ments are nuts 21 These nuts when turned serve to clamp the overlapping ends of the band segments or sections firmly between said nuts and the heads 21 ot' the screws. in order to prevent the sections of the metallic band from injuring the two thicknesses of canvas 16 and 17, the outer side of said metallic band is covered with another 'anvas 2; to protect the inner thickness 16, and this *anvas is turned around the edges of the band, and thence beneath said band a sufiicient distance toprotect the outer thickness of can vas 17.

Covering the outer thickness 17 ot' the canvas except at the tread of the tire is another canvas 23. which is stitched at the points 2-1. 24 to the two thicknesses 1t and 17. Midway between these two points of stitching, and at a point opposite to the cen' ter of the central depressed portion 25 of the rim, the thickness 17 of the canvas and the outer canvas 23 are provided with'a series of registering openings in which are fitted eyelets :26. Through these eyelets the screws 20 pass and turn into elongated nuts 97, the outer ends of said nuts projecting beyond the inner side of the rim, and preferably being squared for the convenient application thereto of a suitable turning tool. Each of these elongated nuts are provided adjacent to the inner side of the rim with an annular recess 28, which recess receives the furcate members of a bifurcated nut locking plate 29, shown in detail in Fig. 11. The extremities of the furcate arms or members of this locking plate are turned at right angles, and when the plates are forced into p ace, the angularly bent ends of the furcate members are driven into the wooden rim, and it is obvious that the nuts are thus prevented from working outwardly. The nuts referred to, the locking plates therefor, the

screws 20 with the heads 21 at the inner ends thereof, the nuts 21' turned on to the screws, and the metallic band composed of the' segments 18 form the means for securely but detachably connecting the tire to the rim. I

The outer ends or flaps of the canvas 23 are folded under, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and provided with a series of openings through the double thickness formed by the folds, and said openings have eyelets 30 fitted therein, shown in detail in Fig.

The outer tread of the tire is formed of suitable material 31, preferabl leather, and the inner edges of this materia pass beneath the infolded outer ed es of the canvas 23.

Beneath the outer eather covering 31 is a metallic protecting shield arranged entirely around the tire, and composed of a series of segments or plates 32, shown. in' detail in Fig. 3. Each one of these lates or segments is detachably connecte -to the next adjacent plate, preferably by means of a bail 33. I also prefer to provide a means for detachably pivoting each bail to its plate, this means being shown in detail in Figs. 3, 7 and 8. Referrin to these figures, it will be seen that each p ate is provided near one transverse edge with an embossed or raised portion 34 having inclined openin s 35, 35 at opposite ends thereof. The en s of the bail which enter these openings are bent substantially at right ang es to. the inclination of the openings so that when said bent ends are inserted in the openings, and the bails turned to their proper osition, that is, lying across the Width of t e shield section, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 7, the said bent ends of the bail will then be against inturned portions or steps 36, 36, as shown .on the right hand plate illustrated in Fig. -3. In this position of'the bail, it will be ob- -vious that it is impossible to release the ends of said hail from engagement with the openings 35. W hen, however, it becomes necessary, for any reason, to release a bail, all thatis necessary is to turn the bail from the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7, and this turning backwardly of the bail brings the angles of the bent ends of said bails coincident with the angles of the openings 35, and hence the bent ends of the balls can then be readily released.

-As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, each plate or segment of the metallic shield fits at one edge beneath the edge of an adjacent plate or segment, and the opposite edge of the said plate above the edge of the other adjacent plate. The bails or loops are connected by having the looped end of each bail beneath the pivoted end of the next succeeding bail at a point just in advance of the embossed or raised portion 34. One edge of each plate is a so provided with projecting tongues 37, 37 which slidingly fit in ockets 38, 38 in the next succeeding plate.

y reason of the described construction of the metallic punctureproof shield, the sections or segments thereof are flexibl held together, so that they may give with the different compressions and expansions to which the pneumatic tire is subjected.

In order to prevent the bent pivoted ends of the bails 33 from injuring. the portion of the tire therebeneath, I provide small metallic plates 39 beneath each segment or section of the shield, each late coverin the bent ends of the bails whlch are beneat a section 32, and in order to secure or clench these protecting plates or guards, I bend the o posite enrs thereof, and pass said bent ends through openings in the shield plate, and bend the extremities of the said ends down against the outer side of the shield plate, as most clearly shown in Fig. 8.

The outer folded under ends of the canvas 23, the longitudinal edges of the outer leather tread covering 31, and the longitudinal edges of the shield plates or sections 32 are secured together by means of eyed shanks 40, said shanks passing through the eyelets 30, through the outer leather covering 31, and pivotally mounted at their inner ends in the shield plates or sections 32. The eyes of these shanks, in order to releasably securethe parts referred to together, are turned athwart or transverse to the lei'igth of the elongated eyelets 30, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Beneath the metallic-shield plates or segments 32 is a canvas layer 41. and the outer I edges of this layer are secured to the shield plates or segments by means of a thread 42 passed through the canvas and extended around the edges of the shield plates, and thence, around the eyed shanks 40. This canvas 41 has sewed to its outer side, by means of a thread 43, a twine or small rope- 44, consisting of a plurality of strands, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This cord or small rope. as will be seen, bears against the center of the metallic shield, and consequently tends to maintain said shield in its curved form, or in other words, prevents undue straightening out or flattening of the shield.

flap being stitched by a stitch line 48, and

segments, and then turn the eyes of the the nuts 23' may beloosened by retrieving the engaged ttrom the-canvas 23 and accessibility The outer looped or doubled edges of the two inner thicknesses of canvas 16 and 17, res ectively, are secured together by hooks and eyes 45 and4t3, and in order to prevent these hooks and eyes from coming in direct contact with the. inner rubber tubing 15, I provide a doubled flap 47 interposed between the inner canvas thickness 16 and the rubber tubing 15 at the joint where the hooks and eyes are located, one edge of said thc opposite edge being left free.

In orderto more securely hold the doubled over outer edges of the canvas 23, the leather thread covcringlil, the metallic shield 32, and the canvas layer 41 together, I provide cords-49, which are passed throughthe eyes of the shanks 40,"aftcr said eyes have been turned at-right angles to the length otthe slots 3.0. The ends of t cords may be knotted, as showrri-n Fig. l,i.n order to retain them in place.

The canvas which I employ to form the different layers hereinbefore referred to, is preferably coated with a composition of combined tar and linseed oil heated to a desirable degree, and then thinned with some suitablematerial. A coating of this character will act effectually to prevent rotting of said canvaslayers.

In the operation of gaining ready access to the interior of the tire, articularly to the inner rubber tube 15, all t at is necessary is to remove the cords 49 from the eyes of the shanks 4O projecting from some of the shield,

shanks 40's; that said eyes will lie in the direction of the-length of the eyelets 30. The outer leather tread covering 31, and the in-. terior-parts connected thereto, can then be readily withdrawn from connection with the canvas 23, and pushed to one side, and this willpermit'the hooks and eyes 45 and 46 to be readily disengaged. Also, at the points where the: tire is connected to the rim t4,

plates29, and then turning-said "nuts in the proper direction. This will permit of the loosening of'the. tire where said tire engages the rim, .It is further-more-obvious, that-any particular shield section or sections maybe removed atany time by drawing out the cords 49 fromthe eyes .of theshanks 40 of the particular plate or section desiredto be rcmovcd, then turning the eyes of the shanks in the direction (if the. length oftheeyelcts 30 thereby permitting the shanks to be. disafforded 1 to the shield segments v.or sections.

Fromthe ioregoing. description of my invcntion, it-will be seen that. 'I provide a construction. which is practically puncture proof, is easy. and quick o ad-j ustment, can be rapidly repaired in a simple manner," and parts necessary for repair can be conveniently carried along by the user of a vehicle equipped with my tires. Further, this puncturoproot-tire automatically adjusts itself to difl'crcnt sizes and demands for use, and the construction is such that the inner rub- .bcr tube can be removed for re )air or substitution without taking the wheel otl the vehicle, which is particularly advantageous where a wheel is mounted in a fork, or other device, as in the case of a bicycle, motor cycle, ctc. l urtln-u'morc, the inside rubber tube can be removed and replaced and other work done with almost any form of tool; in other words. no special form of tool is necessary. still further advantage of my invcntion resides in the easy riding which the construction atfords, by reason of the fact that the rubber inflated tube does not come directly in contact with the round, and hence the resistii suction whic 1 is encountered in a wheel taving the rubber tube so located is avoided in my construction, and also the tire in my construction preserves its roundness. Easy riding s characteristic of the use of my tire on account of its greatt'lexibility. In fact, a tire constructed in accordance with my invention secures the same mobile tire. and at the sametirne it is cheaper to construct, the latter being true by reason of-the fact that it is not necessary to pro ride as thick rubber for the inflatable tube.

In. the modified construction illustrated in Fig. 12; the thickness of canvas 17 is in one of being provided with openings for eyelets 26, as inthe principal form of construction, the canvas is separated at the depression 25 of the rim, leavin a continuous space entirely around the. tire, this spacebelng sufiicicntly wide for the accommodation of the nuts 21'. In the loops formed at these separated edges of the canvas layers 17 and 23, cords 50, '50 are inserted, which cords not only stiflienvthe edges, but also form enlargements-which abutagainst shoulders 51, 51 formed by the sides of'thc recess 2511f the rim. InFig. 13,1 show a'modified construction of the shield plates 32, wherein instead of. employing loops 38 for the tongues 37, .1 employ. bifru'catcd tongues 52 projecting from one end of each plate, the furcate members of said tongues straddling additional eyed shanks similar to shanks 40', and which shanks are adapted to beturned' across the space etwcelnthc furcate members, and to also rem-ire therctln'ough the. cords 4t).

'hat I clainr'as my i'n\ 'ention is:

1. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with an inner inflatable tube, of a shield encircling the tube around the tread portion ot thcitire, said shieldcomprising a series of that also the construction is such that the overlapping flexible puncture-proof sections piece with the outer canvas 23, and insteadamount of resiliency as an ordinary autodetachably connected together by means of bails, and each section at one edge provided with tongues adapted to slidingly engage portions of the next adjacent section.

2. he pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, a shield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire, said shield comprising a series of overlap ing flexible puncture-proof sections detac ab y connected together, and each section at one edge provlded with pro'ecting bifurcated tongues, and t-urnable shanlis projecting from the shieldsections and provided at their outer ends'with enlargements, and which shanks the furcate members of the tongues are ada ted to straddle, and the 'heads of the said s anks, when the shanks are turned in one direction, adapted to be brought athwart of the spaces between the furcate members of the tongues,

3. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an innerinflatable tube, a shield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire, said shield comprising a series of over- Lap ing flexible punctureroof sections,

100 ed end of one bail adapted to engage un er the pivoted end of the next bail, just in advance of the pivot of said latter bail.

4. I na pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner lnflatable tube, a shield encircling the'tube around the tread portion of the tire, said shield comprising a series of overlapping flexible puncture proof sections, bai s detachabl p1voted to each shield section, the loope end of one bail adapted to engage under the pivoted end of the next bail, just in advance of the pivot of said next or adjacent bail.

5. In apneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, a shield encircling the-tube around the tread portion of the tire, said shield comprising a series of over lap ing flexible puncture-proof sections, eac section provi raised portion having inclined openings at ings below the raised opposite ends thereof, the edges of said openortion provided with sto s or catches, a had for each section, the en s of each bail being bent at substantially 'ri ht angles to the inclined openings, and

a apted to be inserted through said openings and to en age against the steps or catches to form a detachable pivotal connection, and the looped end of one bail adapted to engage -uudelthe pivoted end of the next bail, just in advance of the pivot of said next bail.

6. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, ashield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire, said shield comprising a' series of overlapping flexible sections, each section proruled near one edge with a raised portion having inclined openings at opposite ends s pivoted to each shied section, the,

ed near one edge with a thereof, the edges of said openings below the raised portion provided with stops or catches, a bail-for each section, the ends of each bail being bent at substantially right angles, with the inclined openin and adapted to be inserted through sai openings and to enga e against the stops or catches to form a diatachable pivotal connection, and the looped end of one bail adapted to engage under the pivoted end of the next adjacent bail just in advance of the pivot of said adjacent bail, and guards beneath the shield sections, each guard being so located as to cover the engaging bent ends of the bail which lie beneath the shield section and 7. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, a shield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire said shield comprising a series of overla ping flexible puncture-proof sections, d d tachably and slidably connected to ther, eyed shanks projecting from the shield sections and constructed to detachably connect said shield sections to the tire; andcords passed through the eyes of said shanks.

8. In a neumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tub'e, coverin of suitable material surrounding sai tube, a clamping band of metal around the inner portion of said tire and disposed between ayers of the coverings, said band composed of a series of overlapping flexible sections, a rim to which the inner portion of the tire is fitted, elongated nuts fitting and secured in openings in the rim, screw-bolts engaging the nuts and extending through openings or spaces in the coverings, an having their outer ends engaging registerin openings in the overlapping portions of t 0 band sections, the outer ends of said screw bolts provided with heads bearin against the outer side of the clam ing ban s, and nuts turned on the screw-b0 ts against the opposite side of the clamping band.

9. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, coverings ofsuitahle material surrounding said tube, a. clamping band of me a1 around the inner portion of the tire and disposed between lay-- ers of the coverings, said and composed of a series of overlapping flexible sections, a rim to which the inner ortion of the tire is fitted, elongated nuts tted in openings in the rim, each nut provided with an annular recess, screw-bolts engaging the nuts and extending through openin or spaces in the coverings, and having't eir outer ortions engaging registerin openings in t e overlapping portions 0 the band sections, and their outer extremities provided with heads hearing against the outer side of the clamping band, nuts turned on the serew-b0lts against the opposite side of the clamping hand, and bifurcated plates having the fureate members thereot engaging the recesses of the elongated nuts, and the ends of the furcate nien'ibcrs bent outwardly and driven into the rim.

l0. in a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner inflatable tube, coverings of suitable material surroui'iding said tube. a clamping hand of metal around the inner portion of said tire and disposed between layers of the overings, said band composed of a series of overlapping flexible htltfll m'ln, an additional covering for the chtn'iping hand. a rim to which the inner portion of the tire is fitted, said rim provided with openings, elongated nuts fitting and secured in said rim openings, screw-bolts engaging the nuts and extending through openings or spaces in the coverings, and having their outer ends engaging registering openings in the overlapping portions of the band sections. the outer ends of said screw-bolts pro vidcd uritlt heads bearing against. the outer side of the t-laniping band, and nuts turned in the screw-bolts against the opposite side of the clamping band.

11. in a ineunu-itic tire. the combination of an inner inflatable tube, coverings of suitable material surrounding said tube. a clamping band of metal surrounding the inner portion of sairi tire and disposed between Iayeis of the corcrings. said band composed of a series of overlapping flexible sections. the overlapping portions prorided with square openings, a rim to which the inner portion of the tire is tilted, said rini provided with openings. elongated nuts fitting and secured in said i'iin openings, screwbolts engaging the nuts and extending through o ienings or spaces in the eoverin s, the thread of said bolts, at diametrically opposite sides of the bolts, being interrupted to form st uare surfaces, and the outer ends of said ho ts engaging the re, istering square openings of the overlapping portions of the sections of the clamping band, and the outer extremity of said screw-bolts provided with headot' aring against the outer side of the lamping band. and nuts turned on the s rew-bolts against the opposite side of the 'damping band.

1?, In a pneumatic tire, the eombiliation of an inner inflatable tube, coverings of suitaiiteniaterial surrounding said tube, a clamping band of metal surmunding the inner portion of, said tire and disposed between layers of the coverings, said hand composed of a series of overlapping flexible sections, the overlapl'iing portions provided with elongated rectangular openings, a rim to which the inner portion of the tire is titled, said rim provided with openings, elongated nuts fitting and secured in the rim openings, screw-bolts engaging the nuts and extending through 0 enin s or spaces in the coverings, the three 8 of tie bolts, at diametrically opposite sides of said bolts, bein r interrupted to form square surfaces, and t ie outer ends of the bolts enga ing the registering elongated openings of the overlap Jing portions of the sections of the lainping band, and the outer extremities of said bolts provided with beads bearing against the outer side of the clamping band, and nuts turned on the screw-bolts against the opposite side of the clamping band.

13. In a pneumatic tire, the eoinbination of an inner inflatable tube, a eovering of suitable material for said tube comprising an inner and an outer portion, the edges of the inner portion of the covering meeting at the tread portion of the tire, releasable securing means for connecting the edges of the inner portion of the covering together, flaps forming part of the outer covering, a flexible puncture )root' shield encircling the inner portion o the covering around the tread portion of the tire, and securing means connected to said shield which pass throiwh openings provided therefor in the flaps or releasably connecting the shield to the covering.

ll. in a neumatic tire. the combination of. an inner inflatable tube, an outer covering partially covering the tube, the. outer edges of said covering being a weed a considerable distance apart. and sait outer edges being provided with elongated eyelets, a puncture proof flexible shield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire, and

shanks rotatably secured to the shield and extending through the eyelets-the outer ends of the shanks provided with enlargements adapted. upon the turning of the shanks, to he. brought athwart oi the length of the eyelets.

l3. lo a pneumatic tire, the eonibimition of an inner inflatable tube, an outer covering partially covering the. tube, the outer et'lges of said covering being spaee'd a considerable distance apart. and said outer edges being providedwvith elongated eyelets, a punctureproof flexible shield encircling the tube around the tread portion of the tire, shanks rotatably secured to the shield and extending through the eyelets, the outer ends of said shanks provided with eyes ada )ted. upon the turning of the shanks, to he brought athwart of the length ot the eyelets, and cords passing through the eyes of the shanks.

Hi. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an inner iutlatahle tube, an outer coveriog partially covering the tube, the outer a puncture-proof ,fiexible shield encircling upon the turninf of the shanks, to be brought the tube around the trend portion of the tire, athwart of the ength of the e elets. 10 an outer covering for the shield at the tread In testimony whereof, I a 1: my signaportion of the'tire, and shanks rotatably seture, in presence of two witnesses.

cured to the shield and extendin through LOUIS J. WESTNESS. the tread covering and through t e eyelets Witnesses: of the outer coverin the outer ends of said A. L. MORSELL,

shanks provided wit enlargements adapted, ANNA F. SoHMIn'rBAunu. 

